The workshops follow an informal format. They generally begin in the late afternoon with a farm tour, followed by a presentation and demonstration on the topic of the day. Participants are then invited to stay for a potluck supper and discussion - bring a dish or something fresh from the farm to share.

For more information about or directions to any of the workshops, or to get yourself on our FTP reminder mailing list, email April or call 568-4142.

2011 FTP Workshop Schedule
(* subject to changes and additions *)
(* workshops are held rain or shine *)

 

Starting with the Soil: Sustainable Soil Management
Tuesday, May 31 5pm at Broadturn Farm, Scarborough
Wednesday, June 1 5pm at Village Farm, Freedom

Healthy, living soil is the foundation of successful organic agriculture. Join MOFGA staff and several successful organic farmers for an introduction to organic soil fertility management and the use of rotation, composting, green manures, cover crops, and tillage strategies to build organic matter and enhance the health and productivity of farm soil. This is also the inaugural event of the 2011 MOFGA apprentice season, and a good chance to meet MOFGA staff and fellow apprentices from other farms.

Introduction to Farm Equipment: Safety, Operation, and Basic Maintenance
Wednesday, June 8 5pm
MOFGA Headquarters, Unity
***NO POTLUCK***

Join staff from MOFGA and University of Maine Cooperative Extension for an introduction to basic farm equipment anatomy, safe operation, and maintenance. We’ll cover tractor operation and safety; attaching, adjusting, and operating farm implements; and basic preventative lubrication and maintenance. Participants will get a chance to practice driving tractors of different models and sizes and attaching and operating implements.


Ecological Pest Control
Wednesday, June 15 5pm
Six River Farm, Bowdoinham

Effective ecological pest control starts with a farm system design based on the fundamental principles of diversity and complexity. Join Eric Sideman, MOFGA’s crops specialist, for a comprehensive perspective on managing pests in organic vegetable systems.


Selling what you Grow: Marketing Basics
Wednesday, June 22 5pm at Fisher Farm, Winterport
Wednesday, June 29 5pm at Morning Dew Farm, Newcastle

Small farmers need to be creative and innovative marketers to be successful. The best are those that cultivate community involvement in their farms and nurture face-to-face relationships with their customers. Learn from several of Maine’s farmers, both new and veteran, about their diverse strategies for marketing their products, including Community Supported Agriculture, Farm Stands, Farmers Markets, and cooperatives. We’ll also hear about innovative partnerships with non-profits that incorporate education and community service.


John Bunker Homestead Tour
Thursday, July 7 5pm
Super Chilly Farm, Palermo

Anyone who’s perused the Fedco Trees catalog has gotten a glimpse of John Bunker’s encyclopedic knowledge of and unbridled enthusiasm for the diversity of Maine’s agricultural flora. John, along with his partner Cammy Watts, also operates Super Chilly Farm in Palermo. They tend about 100 fruit trees, extensive small scale vegetable gardens, small fruits and many ornamentals. They grow most of their own food, storing much of it in their stone root cellar.  The orchard features dozens of rare and historic varieties, many originating in Maine.  Gardening is done entirely with hand tools.  John will give a tour of their off-the-grid owner-built home, various apprentice log cabins and out buildings, gardens, orchard and nursery.  There will be plenty of time for questions about farming and homesteading on a small scale.  Come see what you can do over the course of forty years with marginal land and a lot of home made compost.


Livestock Management

Tuesday, July 19 at Willow Pond Farm, Sabattus

Wednesday, July 20  5pm at King Hill Farm, Penobscot

An important principle of sustainable small-scale farming is diversity, and livestock play many key functional roles in a diverse farm system. Veteran farmers from King Hill Farm and Willow Pond Farm run diversified, pasture-based livestock operations and sell their animal products directly to consumers. Come learn how they manage their critters and the benefits of their system.


Farm Woodlot Management
Wednesday, July 27 5pm
Dorolenna Farm, Montville

Woodlots are an important part of a diverse farm system, providing fuel, building materials, and other value-added products such as maple syrup to supplement income. Join Andrew Marshall, woodlot owner and manager, Sam Brown, Consulting Forester, and a few local loggers for a teaching tour of Dorolenna Farm's woodlot. They will talk about why and how they manage the woodlot, with particular emphasis on long-term, low-impact forestry techniques using small-scale, multipurpose equipment. Hopefully, the workshop will include a hands-on demonstration of low-impact logging and yarding. We can also check out the farm's timber frame barn that was built from local materials. 


Ecological Weed Management
Monday, August 1 5pm at Crystal Spring Farm, Brunswick
Wednesday, August 3 5pm at Peacemeal Farm, Dixmont

Weed control is a primary challenge in organic farming systems. This workshop will offer ecological and cultural approaches to weed management with experts from MOFGA and the University of Maine. It will also feature a primer on weed control using the various forms of cultivation equipment available to vegetable growers. 


Preserving the Harvest: Pickling & Canning
Wednesday, August 10 4pm
MOFGA Headquarters, Unity

“Putting food by” is a fundamental skill to master if you want to be able to enjoy your garden’s bounty all winter long. Join MOFGA staff for a session on the basics of food preservation and all its various strategies – from pickling, to canning, to freezing, to root cellaring. Be prepared for a hands-on workshop. Please RSVP by  August 4th to April at 568-4142 or education@mofga.org. Participants need to specify if they prefer to learn the art of canning dilly beans or tomato sauce. Apprentices are given first choice; however there are only 20 open spots for this workshop. For participants who aren’t apprentices, we are asking for a $5.00 donation. Please bring a pint canning jar if possible.

Biodynamic Farming
Wednesday, August 17 5pm
Hope’s Edge Farm, Hope

Biodynamics is a mystical, holistic approach to agriculture that has something to offer every farmer and gardener. Join Tom Griffin of Hope’s Edge Farm for an introduction to the Biodynamic approach, and see how he incorporates it into his operation.

Farming with Horses
Monday, August 22 5pm
New Beat Farm, Knox

Using animals for draft power has a number of economic, environmental, and social benefits; but it is not easy. Come learn the basics of this genuinely solar-based system of farming; and meet a few of Maine's skilled horsefolk.

From Apprentice to Farmer: taking the next steps
Wednesday, August 31 5pm
Proud Peasant Farm, Unity

MOFGA estimates that Maine needs about 150 new farmers a year just to maintain the infrastructure we need to support our local food system – so every new farm operation in Maine is a reason to celebrate. But it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get started in farming. Join several of MOFGA’s current Journeypeople as they share their insights and enthusiasm about how they are managing their first few years farming independently. If you are considering farming for a living, please come and contribute to this important discussion. 

Seed Saving and Production on a diversified farm
Thursday, September 8 5pm

Seven Tree Farm, Vassalboro

Roberta Bailey of Fedco Seeds operates Seven Tree Farm, 18 acres with three field plots an orchard and grape arbor and many fruit and berry plantings. The farm also includes a solar house, root cellar, and many post and beam buildings, including a new barn and woodworking shop. The focus of their operation is to grow much of our food and to raise commercial seed crops on a small farm scale. Seed crops can work well with the home garden or the field production gardens, further diversifying a farm operation's income and securing seed supply in some situations.  The talk will focus on interplanting seed crops in your gardens or field plots, using the by-products of the crop for food production or value added products to sell, and on basic seed saving and plant genetics, crop nutrition, rotations, isolations, and how to harvest and dry seed. The talk will cover biennials such as beets and carrots as well.